Opening of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Building

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen

I am pleased to be here for the opening of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Building (MGMB). This Building embodies the timeless spirit and message of an Indian patriot, without whom modern India may have taken a different course.  His life and work have special significance for us in Singapore.  For example, he used his weakness to his advantage.  He knew that the independence movement he led was no match for the might of the British Empire. So he adopted “passive resistance” as his weapon and the colonial power had no answer to it. He eschewed violence. He was a moralist who believed that the means must not subvert the end.

Like the Indian independence movement, our independence was also the outcome of a political contest that, although keen, sharp and bitter at times, was ultimately achieved peacefully and constitutionally.  While there was impatience among those who thought that violence was a solution, we sought the non-violent, non-communist way. This is where we are consistent with Gandhi’s philosophy that violence, even against colonialism, begets further violence. Singapore’s founding fathers did articulate their struggle for independence in those terms. The Gandhi spirit of achieving freedom peacefully characterises Singapore’s road to freedom as well. That is why independent Singapore has emerged as a peaceful and prosperous nation, even through turbulent times.

Another aspect of Gandhi that is relevant to us in Singapore is his vision of a country at peace with its diversity and striving to live in communal harmony.  We must also applaud his determination to see humans treated as humans, and capable of living together in spite of differences of religious belief and practice. For us, who seek to preserve our commitment to multi-racialism and inter-religious harmony in daily life, these values are worthy of emulation.

This  memorial  hall  was  built  to  perpetuate  memories of  Gandhi  and  his values.  I applaud the people who had the vision and commitment to undertake such a project.  It was built with donations collected mainly from the North Indian business community.  It  was  used at  one  time  by  SINDA  as  well  as  the Information  Technology  Cooperative.   It is now given to the Hindi Society to run classes in Hindi.

I will be remiss if I do not take this occasion to applaud the indefatigable efforts of the late Mr Sivakant Tiwari, that resulted in this refurbished Building.  He spear-headed the effort to find use of this premises and renew its usage.  He actively raised funds for this project.  Beyond that, we must not forget his contributions in the growth of the Hindi Society and in the running of Hindi classes for schoolchildren, as a mother tongue, not available in the curriculum of our schools.

It is my hope that eventually it will house a library with interactive portals for interested visitors to learn more about Gandhi and his significance to us.  I also look forward to it becoming an extension of the Indian Heritage Centre that is being built in Campbell Lane.  We must ensure that this building is also used in service to the community.

I am pleased to declare open the refurbished Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Building.